NUR 504 FINAL EXAM – Advanced Health Assessment
(2026)
St. Thomas University (STU) – Practice Examination
Questions 1–200
SECTION 1: HEALTH HISTORY & INTERVIEWING
(Questions 1–30)
1. Which is the preferred order of taking down a
patient's subjective information?
A. Family history, physical exam, diagnostic tests,
assessment
B. SOAP
C. HPI, past medical history, family history, social history
D. HPI, family history, physical exam, assessment
Answer: C. HPI, past medical history, family history,
social history
Rationale: The standard order for documenting subjective
information is Chief Complaint → History of Present Illness
,(HPI) → Past Medical History → Family History → Social
History → Review of Systems .
2. The provider is preparing to take a health history for
a new patient. He asks the patient to don a hospital
gown, steps outside to give the patient time to change,
then returns and asks permission to conduct the
history. He sits next to the patient at eye level,
observes for sensory deficits, asks permission to take
notes, gives the patient time to answer questions,
avoids technical terms, and observes nonverbal
behaviors. Which mistake did the provider make?
A. He should have allowed the patient to remain fully
clothed
B. He should not have omitted technical terminology
C. He should have seated himself at a higher level than the
patient
D. He should have conducted the interview before the
patient changed
Answer: A. He should have allowed the patient to
remain fully clothed
Rationale: Asking a patient to change into a hospital
gown before taking the health history can create
,discomfort and a power imbalance. The interview should
be conducted with the patient in comfortable street
clothes before the physical examination begins. This
respects the patient's dignity and promotes open
communication .
3. Which of the following is an example of subjective
data that may be collected during a health assessment?
A. Height and weight
B. A patient's recall of his or her past health conditions
C. Results from an abdominal CT scan
D. Complete blood count
Answer: B. A patient's recall of his or her past health
conditions
Rationale: Subjective data are information reported by the
patient, including symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and
health history recall. Objective data (height, weight, lab
results, imaging) are measurable and obtained by the
examiner .
, 4. Which of the following is true regarding the data
taken in a health history?
A. Most health history data are objective and measurable
B. Objective data are error-free, quantifiable data
C. Subjective data, being inherently less accurate, are of
less value than objective data
D. A successful individualized plan of care must
incorporate subjective data
Answer: D. A successful individualized plan of care
must incorporate subjective data
Rationale: Both subjective and objective data are essential
for an accurate assessment. Subjective data provide the
patient's perspective and experience of illness, which is
critical for developing an individualized, patient-centered
plan of care .
5. What do Coulehan and Block define as "listening to
the total communication... and letting the patient
know that you are really hearing"?
A. Cultural competence
B. Patience
C. Empathy
D. Top-tier communication
(2026)
St. Thomas University (STU) – Practice Examination
Questions 1–200
SECTION 1: HEALTH HISTORY & INTERVIEWING
(Questions 1–30)
1. Which is the preferred order of taking down a
patient's subjective information?
A. Family history, physical exam, diagnostic tests,
assessment
B. SOAP
C. HPI, past medical history, family history, social history
D. HPI, family history, physical exam, assessment
Answer: C. HPI, past medical history, family history,
social history
Rationale: The standard order for documenting subjective
information is Chief Complaint → History of Present Illness
,(HPI) → Past Medical History → Family History → Social
History → Review of Systems .
2. The provider is preparing to take a health history for
a new patient. He asks the patient to don a hospital
gown, steps outside to give the patient time to change,
then returns and asks permission to conduct the
history. He sits next to the patient at eye level,
observes for sensory deficits, asks permission to take
notes, gives the patient time to answer questions,
avoids technical terms, and observes nonverbal
behaviors. Which mistake did the provider make?
A. He should have allowed the patient to remain fully
clothed
B. He should not have omitted technical terminology
C. He should have seated himself at a higher level than the
patient
D. He should have conducted the interview before the
patient changed
Answer: A. He should have allowed the patient to
remain fully clothed
Rationale: Asking a patient to change into a hospital
gown before taking the health history can create
,discomfort and a power imbalance. The interview should
be conducted with the patient in comfortable street
clothes before the physical examination begins. This
respects the patient's dignity and promotes open
communication .
3. Which of the following is an example of subjective
data that may be collected during a health assessment?
A. Height and weight
B. A patient's recall of his or her past health conditions
C. Results from an abdominal CT scan
D. Complete blood count
Answer: B. A patient's recall of his or her past health
conditions
Rationale: Subjective data are information reported by the
patient, including symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and
health history recall. Objective data (height, weight, lab
results, imaging) are measurable and obtained by the
examiner .
, 4. Which of the following is true regarding the data
taken in a health history?
A. Most health history data are objective and measurable
B. Objective data are error-free, quantifiable data
C. Subjective data, being inherently less accurate, are of
less value than objective data
D. A successful individualized plan of care must
incorporate subjective data
Answer: D. A successful individualized plan of care
must incorporate subjective data
Rationale: Both subjective and objective data are essential
for an accurate assessment. Subjective data provide the
patient's perspective and experience of illness, which is
critical for developing an individualized, patient-centered
plan of care .
5. What do Coulehan and Block define as "listening to
the total communication... and letting the patient
know that you are really hearing"?
A. Cultural competence
B. Patience
C. Empathy
D. Top-tier communication
